United Mine Workers Stage Rally in Henderson

The UMWA is upset with Patriot Coal, because last week, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Saint Louis gave the company the green light to back out of its contract with the union.

The United Mine Workers bring their battle with Patriot Coal to Henderson on Tuesday.

The UMWA is upset with Patriot Coal, because last week, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Saint Louis gave the company the green light to back out of its contract with the union. That could lead to lower pay and fewer benefit for active miners and for retirees.

Several thousand miners showed up for the rally, which is the eighth one against Patriot across coal country.

UMWA Vice President Steve Earle said, "You know Peabody Coal and arch thought we would go to Saint Louis and have one rally and that would be the end of it, but I have a message this morning for mister Greg Broyce and the board of directors. The United Mine Workers has never walked away from a fight and we're not gonna start now. The United Mine Workers is here to stay."

Miners claim Peabody Coal set up Patriot to fail so the company could get out of paying benefits to retirees. The company says that is not true.

We will have more on today's rally coming up later on Eyewitness News.